Next Step
For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ John 4:37. NKJV.
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:7. NKJV.
If you and I were to take a step closer to the Lord, what would it be? If you or I were to take a step further into our destiny, what would it be? If you or I were to focus more on what God has called us to do, what would that look like? If you or I were to put right a fractured relationship, what would that involve? If you or I were to drop unhelpful commitments from our schedule, what would be the result?
Much of life is routine, ordinary and…, boring. Much of life is process. Doing the same old day in and day out. But, it is that routine that eventually produces the results we’re after.
Process (of which I am a great believer, and which I want to focus on soon for a future Brief Word) is important. Yet there are times when a big, bold, scary, faith-driven decision is required. We’re faced with a decision which requires us to take the next step.
Some of us can remember the time, some people even the exact place date and time, when we took a step towards God and received Christ into our life. What a great next step that was! The love of God and the working of the Holy Spirit wooed us and drew us into a relationship with the Name above all Names.
But most probably, there was someone, a person or people, also involved in helping us take that next step. For me it was a group of young people from Youth For Christ who presented a program of music and messages, then they must have known something was going on in me, as they talked with me about the love of God. Soon, I was weeping my way to the Cross! I’ll never forget it.
There was also a neighbour, who was my Boys Brigade Leader and Sunday School Teacher, who encouraged me, prayed for me, and shared life and Bible teaching with me. He sowed truth into my life, and helped me take many a next step in growing as a young Christian.
Some sow into our life, others water, still others reap. But it is God who does it, it is the Lord who brings the increase.
Is there someone, an individual or many, who helped you take your next step towards God, or a next step towards growth, or maybe even a next step towards a career or Christian ministry? If you can, why not contact them, and express thanks and gratitude for the part they played in your destiny.
Just as there was a person or people who helped us take a next step, who is there whom we can encourage and inspire, and cheer on to take their next step?
Helping someone who is yet to become a believer take their next step towards God, might be simply an invitation. Inviting them to church, inviting them for coffee, or inviting them to your house for refreshments. For many people, their journey towards Christ is a long one, and that step, being invited and coming to church, is a huge next step for them.
Let’s prayerfully, lovingly, and graciously, be on the lookout for whoever the Lord brings across our path, to help them take their next step.
Perhaps a question to open the discussion could be, “What would it involve for you to take your next step towards God?” Or, “If you were to take a step closer to God what would that look like?”
There’s a huge truth at stake here. It’s simply this: He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:12. NKJV.
The older I get the more real this issue becomes. Heaven awaits those who believe in Jesus. No more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow, now more heartache; safe and secure in His presence forever! But also a complete, total and agonising eternal separation from God awaits those who do not believe in Jesus. We must tell them! We must get this message out!
Let’s also be on the lookout for those who we can encourage and inspire to take their next step forward in the will of God for them. It could be a career decision, a training opportunity, a relationship, some form of Kingdom service, or a business opportunity.
I’m grateful for faithful friends and family who have encouraged me at key times of decision. Sometimes taking that next step involves lots of prayer, seeking God’s guidance, and taking a deep breath to leap out into new territory. As my dear Mum says, “Be careful taking a leap of faith but don’t forget to leap!”
Someone helped us take our next step towards God. Someone helped us launch into a process that turned out to be life changing. Let’s thank God for them, and if we can express to them our thanks.
Who is there in our world, who we can influence, encourage and inspire to take a next step? A next step towards God, towards a calling, a business opportunity, a next step towards their identity?
In closing, here’s three big questions that is the crux of this Brief Word.
- Who is there who we can encourage to take their next step towards a life in Christ?
- Who is there who we can inspire to take a big bold faith-filled next step in their walk with God?
- What’s your next step? Is there a next step of obedience God is calling you to take?
One sows, another waters, another reaps, but God gives the increase.
To God be the glory!
